93 mile run for military charities

On Friday Kappie Hayden started the gargantuan challenge of running 93 miles from Skegness to Clifton, Nottingham, in 22 hours.

His formidable journey, in aid of the Help for Heroes charity and the Kieron Hill memorial fund, in memory of a 20 year old killed in military action in Afghanistan, started outside the Suncastle, Skegness.

Kappie Hayden and his support team.

With a group of well-wishers and friends supporting, he set off with his support team at 11.30 with the enormity of the task compounded by the back-breaking weight of a military backpack, weighing 70lb.

Running through the night in all conditions and only stopping for a quick coffee break and clothes change between 1am and 3.30am, Kappie carried on, while his support team raised money in passing towns, giving out charity armbands and badges.

Kappie said: “At times it was lonely while the guys were off raising money but I just kept thinking why I was doing it. I gave it all, I had and started off at a fantastic pace but after 25 miles the blisters kicked in and the pain was just too intense and I knew then that 22 hours was never going to be possible”.

Despite not reaching his initial target of 22 hours, Kappie completed his challenge in 26 hours 11 minutes, arriving at the Winning Post pub in Clifton, greeted by friends and three soldiers at 2.45pm on Saturday.

In total, so far Kappie has raised over £2,700 with a combination of £340 raised at the suncastle’s Help for Heroes fun-day, on the run and his just giving page at www.justgiving.com/kappiehayden.